Gavin Raders (he/him) is the Co-Founder and Co-Director of Planting Justice, which empowers people impacted by mass incarceration and social inequities with the skills and resources to cultivate food sovereignty, economic justice, and community healing. Founded in East Oakland in 2009, Planting Justice operates an organic nursery, urban tree farm, aquaponics farm, and “pay-what-you-can” commercial kitchen that together employ 85 formerly incarcerated people with full-time jobs and provide 10,000 pounds of food each year distributed to low-access communities. Planting Justice counters systemic oppression, violence, and inequity by creating good jobs with nature-based work, a healing environment with holistic community support, and opportunities for personal growth.
From a young age, Gavin has been dedicated to helping those around him achieve healing, health, peace, opportunity, and justice. His cultural anthropology studies at UC Berkeley, work as a community organizer with Peace Action West, and time as a volunteer building gardens with incarcerated men at San Quentin State Prison sowed the seeds of his vision for Planting Justice. Gavin says, “The growth of Planting Justice has reinvigorated my hope for the future and faith in our programs. People who have been impacted by incarceration and live in one of the most militarized and oppressed communities in Oakland are now running a successful, nationally recognized program.” The future of Planting Justice is ambitious, and Gavin shares that “we are building a model that can be adopted by communities across the country to transform the U.S. food system and create structural change in our lifetimes.”
After 17 years growing Planting Justice, Gavin is eager to take a period of rest for his psyche and health. During his sabbatical, Gavin plans to explore his musical practice, travel abroad, swim, and spend quality time with his children. As for his “leaderful” team at Planting Justice, Gavin says, “They are ready and capable to not just endure, but truly benefit, from my O2 sabbatical.”